Huth deal stalls as Hamann dumps Bolton for City

Robert Huth's move to Middlesbrough is understood to have hit a snag. The 21-year-old Germany international has spent the past two days on Teesside undergoing a medical with a view to completing a £5m move from Chelsea but it is thought the proposed transfer may fall through after the two parties encountered a problem.

Boro were not commenting but their new manager Gareth Southgate will be disappointed if the move does not come off after he reached a verbal agreement with the player last month. The fee and personal terms were agreed but the player's involvement with his national squad meant the deal could not be finalised immediately. Southgate will continue his search for reinforcements with a series of targets in his sights.

Dietmar Hamann will complete one of the quickest transfers in Premiership history when he joins Manchester City on a free transfer in the next 24 hours. The 32-year-old Liverpool midfielder signed a contract at Bolton last month after being persuaded to leave Anfield by Sam Allardyce, but last week he told the Bolton manager that he wanted to cancel the agreement and move elsewhere.

The extraordinary consequence was that Liverpool revealed yesterday afternoon that Hamann had transferred to Bolton, only for a statement from the Reebok Stadium 90 minutes later to say he would sign for "another club" within 24 hours. Although City officials have decided not to make their own position public, Eastlands is Hamann's destination.

"Bolton Wanderers wishes to clarify that, although Didi Hamann signed a contract with the club, he has since had a change of heart and will sign for another football club," said a club spokesman.

Bolton had initially been prepared to take legal action against Hamann in an attempt to force him to honour his agreement with them. But faced with the possibility of having an unhappy player at the club next season they are now ready to abandon any legal move or complaint to the Football Association over a breach of contract in order to draw a line under the matter. It is understood that Bolton have been compensated, either by Manchester City or Hamann.

Allardyce was rejected by the former Germany international 12 months ago when the player opted to sign a new contract at Liverpool instead of moving to Bolton and losing out again is a major blow. "It's a big disappointment because this is the second time that we have failed to get him but it seems that he is going to City, so that's it," the manager said.

The signing will be welcomed by Manchester City supporters, with the former England Under-21 star Joey Barton certain to leave. Stuart Pearce has already signed Ousmane Dabo from Lazio and is also in negotiations for Reading's Steve Sidwell, who could provide a useful complement to Hamann, who won eight medals during his seven years at Liverpool, including the 2005 Champions League.

Mark Hughes is another manager still optimistic of attracting one of his main transfer targets to the north-west as he continues his efforts to bring Mido to Blackburn. The Egypt striker's future is unclear after he returned to Roma from a loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur.

"The matter is a little bit complicated as he is still under contract," said Hughes. "But we have expressed an interest in Mido. The situation has not developed as quickly as we had hoped. However, I am still hopeful and we will keep pursuing him until the matter is dead in the water."

Hughes also revealed that the Australian pair Brett Emerton and Lucas Neill have been offered new deals.